I reviewed the third generation 2010 Toyota Prius a few years ago. Starting with model year 2012, Toyota gives those seeking great fuel economy a roomier version for both passengers and cargo. The standard Prius hatchback has a lot of compromises for fitting carseats in back, so I’ll take a closer look at seating for both kids and adults in back.

The driving experience of the Prius V wagon is actually a lot like the typical Prius. It’s not sporty, it’s not particularly quiet, and the ride isn’t the smoothest. Still, you’re not buying it for luxury, you’re buying it for the 44 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, which I pretty easily topped in warm weather conditions around town. Make no mistake, the “V” isn’t for “Van”. The Prius V simply isn’t an alternative to a minivan or midsize SUV, as some other reviews might suggest. In terms of size, it’s a nice alternative to a compact SUV or a midsize wagon.

Advantages:

2012 Top Safety Pick by IIHS

Smooth, secure braking system

Much improved visibility, backup camera standard too

Good Cargo Space (photo, right), open front console

Room of a midsize wagon, fuel economy better than a subcompact car

More space than most compact SUVs and easier for kids to climb inside

Three across carseats a bit easier than standard Prius

More legroom than standard Prius, average adults may fit in front with infant seat behind them

Rear seats adjust fore/aft, recline and fold flat separately

Interior quality and feel

Disadvantages:

No NHTSA crash test results

Poor result in new 2013 IIHS small overlap frontal test

Ceiling mounted center shoulder belt awkward

Center mounted display is a distraction (photo, right)

Short buckle stalk hard for young kids to buckle in a booster

Center rear head restraint too short for adults

I’d love one more center console cupholder

Front seats not particularly supportive or adjustable

Not remotely sporty in performance, can be a little noisy

Tops out well over $36k with all the trimmings, nearly as much as a base Highlander Hybrid

Below you can see the roomy cargo area with the top tether anchors, located just below the cargo floor (left). There’s a nice spot for a rear-facing tether strap if you own certain Britax, Diono or Combi convertibles (center). The lower LATCH anchors are hidden behind zippered closures (right).

Below you can see a rigid LATCH booster, no problem fitting a Clek Oobr into the Prius V (left). Three across is possible, but will require very careful selection of carseats in all three positions. I show a Graco Snugride 30, a Diono Radian and a Recaro ProSport (right).

The Prius V is a great option for smaller families looking for the practicality of a wagon or small crossover SUV, but who also want to get great gas mileage. The original Prius is no different than most compact cars in terms of kids. For example, rear-facing carseats pose a problem with legroom and three across is very difficult. Various incompatibility issues arise as well. The Prius V doesn’t resolve all these issues with the Prius, but it is much more kid friendly in back and also more flexible for all that gear you need to carry. It’s not particularly quiet or powerful, but it is a nice improvement over the 3rd generation Prius hatchback in almost every regard except for a modest reduction in fuel economy. If you aren’t seeking the highest mpgs and have some extra coin, you’ll enjoy the extra space for your family! I highly recommend it as an option for families with a couple kids, especially if you’re concerned about the environment they will inherit from us!

Absolutely fantastic, thank you! We have an ’07 Prius, a ’10 Highlander Hybrid, and we’re looking at downsizing the Highlander to the Prius V (for better gas mileage). This review helped seal the deal.

Hi Amanda, I pretty easily managed in the upper 40s in the Prius V around town during the short time I had it. At the same time of year, our 2010 Prius was getting in the low 50s and our 2011 Highlander Hybrid was getting in the mid-30s in similar driving. I note the previous members of the automotive media did not have nearly as good results, based on the display of fuel economy for previous tanks of gas. Only one barely bested the city EPA estimate of 44mpg:-( It’s no wonder a lot of reviewers seems to dislike hybrids. For people who are driving cars for their living, you’d think they’d all have picked up on at least some hypermiling basics by now, especially since many hybrid buyers are looking for that kind of expert information.

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